Hat Etiquette

[Baby Grand]

<snip>

The problem is that when it comes to manners, which are simply rules designed to make us think about others above ourselves, they are not being replaced by other forms of respect. The issue is not hats. The issue is that as a nation we are becoming more and more self centered; self absorbed really. THAT is where these traditional manners have real value. Most of us spend most of our time as if we were the most important person on earth. It is human nature. Manners and etiquette are there to combat that tendency. We no longer even seem to try.

<snip>

Thank you for stating what I had been thinking while reading this thread, yet somehow was unable to express in words. I think you nailed it. It's about valuing the individual above the common good. As times get tougher, I suspect the pendulum may begin to swing the other way.

 

[Oaktree]

As times get tougher, I suspect the pendulum may begin to swing the other way.

I hope so, but haven't seen much evidence to support that yet.

 

[Dr_Zinj]

... What exactly is the reason for hat removal at various times anyway? Much of it seems to be an odd custom, but then again I've never been a hat wearer.

Hat tipping, like saluting, goes back to the days of men in armor; and is a holdover from the act of raising one's visor, or doffing one's helmet to converse with someone.

Partly it was because it was considered cowardice to hide behind the anonymity of a closed visor. You raised it to declare your identity, and to provide valuable non-verbal clues with your speech. (It's also very hard to understand someone speaking through a closed visor.)

Retaining your helmet was a sign of distrust; that the person you were speaking to was going to attack you. So only a total coward, a bounder and a cad, would retain his helmet when speaking to a harmless lady.

Similar reasons exist for the handshake. Since most men are right handed, and the weapon was used in that hand, a handshake was proof you did not have a weapon in that hand.

There's a fun story about the Boy Scouts using the left hand for their handshake. Supposedly Lord Baden-Powell instituted it because the left hand is the hand that carries the shield; and only the bravest of the brave put down their defenses to shake hands. But being brave doesn't mean being stupid, and the right hand could still have a weapon in it. (Kind of like bowing in a dojo, you don't take your eyes off your opponent.

 

[Oaktree]

Hat tipping, like saluting, goes back to the days of men in armor; and is a holdover from the act of raising one's visor, or doffing one's helmet to converse with someone.

Partly it was because it was considered cowardice to hide behind the anonymity of a closed visor. You raised it to declare your identity, and to provide valuable non-verbal clues with your speech. (It's also very hard to understand someone speaking through a closed visor.)

Interesting.
Surprised the same rule doesn't seem to apply to sunglasses. I for one find it disconcerting (and a bit rude) not to be able to look someone in the eye.

 

[newbury]

Interesting.
Surprised the same rule doesn't seem to apply to sunglasses. I for one find it disconcerting (and a bit rude) not to be able to look someone in the eye.

I find it disconcerting but then I also found it seemed more prevalent among the soldiers I dealt with who had done a tour in one of the sandboxes recently. They had become accustomed to dealing with all levels of command with sunglasses ON.

 

[Bird]

Interesting.
Surprised the same rule doesn't seem to apply to sunglasses. I for one find it disconcerting (and a bit rude) not to be able to look someone in the eye.

Maybe we're in the minority, but I told my wife a long time ago that I consider it very rude to talk to others with sunglasses on. When I was a police officer, I actually seldom wore sunglasses at all, but when I did, I sure took them off before getting out of the car to talk to anyone.

 

[newbury]

Well, once again I find myself down in NE rural Mississippi. Last night we went to the local fish place (senior citizen - $7.45 for a good meal with a good salad bar) and I forgot my HAT!

Fifty per cent or more of the men wore baseball caps professing their allegiance to tractors, feed stores, trucks, etc. Many guys wore Dickies coveralls. Like Bird

And I don't even own a suit or sport coat anymore.:laughing: I wear Dickies coveralls almost everywhere. I have a son-in-law who is a funeral director and I told him I bought the black Dickies coveralls for fine dining and funerals.:laughing: I do still have two pair of slacks and a few shirts.:laughing:

I got some weird looks and they knew I was an outsider.

Tonight we went to a local barbecue restaurant. I was sure to wear my Woodmizer cap. I got nods of acknowledgement from several guys. At least 25% of the adult males wore caps.

Just before we came down here we went to an Outback in Northern Virginia. No caps/hats inside on adult males and CERTAINLY no coveralls.

It seems similar to "passing pickup in oncoming lane on a rural road" etiquette. In Mississippi if I'm in my Jetta stationwagon noone waves. If I'm in my Ford and the other guy has a full size pickup

I usually get a wave of acknowledgement, even though they don't know me from Adam.
In suburban Va. noone waves regardless.